South-West Middle School, located in Quincy, Mass., is a $58 million, 96,000-sf facility meant to “usher in the next generation of learning.”
The building features collaborative learning spaces, a media center, gymnasium, music and art rooms, administrative offices, a cafe, and an auditorium. STEM circulation zones encourage project-based learning and an open floor plan and glass walls create a synergetic environment. The glass walls are equipped with an electrified film that turns it opaque with the flip of a switch, making it impossible to see who is inside a classroom, an added safety measure in the event of a lockdown.
“Building off the growing trend of innovative and modernized schools, the light-filled spaces and technology-rich classrooms allow this new building to facilitate a high-quality of student engagement for the next generation of learning,” said Robert Murray, BOND (the project’s general contractor) President.
See Also: COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects will design the Western Sydney Airport
Because the new school is being built directly behind the old school, BOND used the opportunity to facilitate classroom learning sessions with South-West Middle School students to coincide with project milestones and STEM curriculum. A student-led Junior Building Committee met with BOND employees, went on hardhat tours of the site, wrote reports, and shared updates with their classmates and the school’s website throughout the construction process.
The school welcomed its first students for the 2019 school year.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Mar 27, 2019
Veterans Resource Center at Cypress College breaks ground
Sundt Construction is building the project.
Education Facilities | Mar 8, 2019
Nature preserve on the Yangtze River will restore biodiversity to a polluted area
Ennead Architects, in partnership with Andropogon Landscape Architects, is designing the project.
Education Facilities | Feb 25, 2019
Fallingwater Institute’s summer residency programs have a new educational hub
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed the project.
Education Facilities | Feb 23, 2019
Construction completed on classroom/dorm combo building on Worcester Polytechnic’s campus
The latest addition embodies the school’s emphasis on collaborative problem-solving.
Education Facilities | Feb 13, 2019
STEM-focused school will cater to students who don’t speak English
Perkins+Will is designing the school.
Libraries | Feb 10, 2019
New library branch in San Diego opens with its community’s learning and working traits in mind
It features larger gathering spaces and more technology than its predecessor.
Green | Jan 28, 2019
This is the country’s greenest academic building
Perkins+Will designed the building.
Education Facilities | Jan 22, 2019
Rethinking classroom design to promote collaboration
A dynamic learning space needs to center around the learner, and be flexible enough to transform into any configuration that will facilitate collaboration, especially as curriculums change.
Education Facilities | Jan 21, 2019
N.J. middle school puts its small site to use
The school is named in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of the “Beloved Community.”
Education Facilities | Jan 8, 2019
Greenwich Village’s Grace Church School receives rooftop athletic center expansion
Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architects designed the addition.